Amino Acids in Plasma of Fasting Fat Prairie Dogs and Lean Martens

Protein catabolism was compared between fasted martens (Martes americana) and white-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys leucurus). Amino acids in plasma decreased in white-tailed prairie dogs during fasting, but elevated in martens with a simultaneously reduced excretion of urea, thus suggesting the martens may have a higher turnover of proteins, but concomitantly greater recycling of nitrogen.